Last night we had a farewell dinner with our groupo di Umbria. I can highly recommend this restaurant for a modern interpretation of Umbria food:
Because we decided to take a train from Foligno to Rome, we had a slower morning. The train station was a short walk and we arrived very early for a train that was late. I did get a couple of photos on the way:
The train was easier that we’d anticipated. Mark got help heaving his bag on the train rack and I sat with mine. The stop at each station is a mere three minutes, but the train ended in Rome so that was not rushed.
We’d been warned about crowds and pickpockets. At least during our early afternoon arrival, we felt that Termini was no more crowded than Grand Central or Penn would be.
Rome is far bigger and far busier than where we’ve been in Umbria. It’s so common to hear other languages. After walking to our hotel, we had pizza and salad at the rooftop restaurant, and then a siesta.
We emerged at dusk for a nice walk toward Piazza Della Republica as the moon was rising. We didn’t cross to the Fountain with its Naiads though— the traffic in the dark took all our attention to navigate.
We meandered along as people began their evenings around us. Tonight we ate gelato before dinner.
Our first Roman dinner was at an osteria near out hotel and we had typical Roman dishes: caponata, cacio e pepe, pasta gricia, with a side of braised chicory.
The woman at the table next to us ordered a cappuccino as an after dinner drink— and we gasped. We’ve had a week to absorb the customs and Italians don’t drink milky coffees after noon. She also lit a small cigar to go with it. Not sure where she was from, but with that combination, it wasn’t Italy or USA.
Mark has been assigned to research the art of the two churches we plan to visit tomorrow.
He also shares this plant of the day— but it’s actually from yesterday, on the hillside where we were truffle hunting. It’s a thistle.
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